Automatic gas-supply cut-off.



TTNTTED STATES PATENT @FFTQE JOHN KOUMEAS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

AUTOMATIC GAS-SUPPLY CUT-OFF.

Application filed August 21,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN KOUMEAS, a subject of the King of Greece, and a resident of the city of New York, borough of Manhattan, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Gas-Supply Cutl Offs, of which the following is a specification. l

My invention, as will be hereinafter more particularly described, relates to a device for automatically cutting off. the flow of gas be l yond the point where the device is installed when the gas has dropped below a predetermined pressure and to retain the cut-off of the gas until the device has been manually reset to permit the gas to again flow.

An embodiment of my invention as shown in the accompanying drawings comprises a i cylinder set upon a bracket and provided with an opening in the top for connection with the gas inlet. pipe. A valve is seated in this opening and connected to a rod which extends through the cylinder and passes out through an opening at the other end. Upon the rod is secured a piston or slide valve. Below the piston and pressing against it upwardly are adjustable springs and an outlet orifice for the gas is formed on the side of the cylinder in position to be covered, by the piston (or slightly below the upper surface of the piston) when the valve is in closed position. The lower end of the piston or valve rod is secured to a cross-bar, having one end slidably mounted on a vertical slide bar, bracketed to the main bracket which. supports the cylinder, and the other end crooked and an anti-friction roller mounted thereon. The outlet (distributing) conduit extends downwardly, and at a convenient distance below the cylinder is provided with a cock; connected to the plug of this cock, for oper- I ating it, is a bar or turn-key slotted at its outer end. In this slot is rotatably secured l the anti-friction roller of the cross-bar. The slotted bar or turn-key is placed at a suitable angle, so that as the piston rod moves up and down the anti-friction roller will cause it (the turn-key) to swing back and forth to open and close the valve. A single ratchet tooth is formed upon a disk which is also mounted upon the cock with the slotted turn-key and positioned to engage with a spring pressed pawl when the slotted bar has been moved upward (by the upward motion of the piston rod) to effect a cut-off of the gas; the pawl I Specification of Letters Patent.

to the open position Patented June 9, 1908.

1907. Serial No. 389,455.

retains the device in this cut-off position until manually released which is effected by pulling a cord secured to the pawl.

Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 shows my invention in side elevation partly in sectional view showing the device in cut-oif position. Fi 2 shows a front elevation partly in sectional view with the valve, ,piston and cock in open position, and to facilitate a bet ter showing the outlet port is revolved 90 from its position as shown in Fig. 1; and, Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the lower part of the device showing the position of the mechanism for operating the cock corresponding of the device.

My invention may be used wherever it is desired to auton'latically cut off the gas supply and is operated to this end by reducing the gas pressure to a predetermined amount corresponding to any particular setting of the springs. It sometimes happens that the gas pressure unavoidably drops to such an. extent that the burners throughout the dwelling or wherever the gas is being consumed that chance to be lighted at the time are extinguished. Generally the drop in pressure is only temporary, and soon recovers its normal condition and unless the opened jets are discovered and closed, as is manifest, there will be large quantities of gas escape with the accompanying dangers, especially in respect to dwellings and at night. My invention is directed to overcome such a danger, and in such a case my device is best installed next to the meter, as the cause for such a lowering in pressure generally originates in the meter, or at the gas works, and one of my devices so located will automatically act to shut off the gas from the entire dwelling.

In lighting parks, streets of cities and in similar places my device may also be used with advantage. Here it should be connected with the gas pipe near each lamp, or one device may be used for a number of lamps in close proximity. All 'the lights may then be extingushed at the same moment from the main station, with a substan tial saving in gas and without the expense of a man going to each lamp and turning off the jet. When it is desired to light the jets again it is only necessary for the workman to pull down the cord secured to the pawl of my device and then to force the piston rod downward to allow the gas to flow through tegral therewith. The

the distributing conduit opened thereby and then to light the jet, (the gas having been first turned on at the main station.)

The cylinder designated 1 is preferably made of non-rustable metal such as brass, and for simplicity the bottom 2 is made intop is open and externally screw-threaded and a cap or head 3 having a downwardly turned flange 4 internally threaded is screwed thereon. In the center of this head is an externally threaded hub or boss 5 provided with an inlet orilice 6 in which is formed a valve-seat 7. An inlet pipe 8 with. the usual coupling is screwed to this inlet orifice and a washer 9 l is inserted to secure a tight joint. The ini let pipe is either connected directly to the gas meter, or it may be connected to any part of the piping system.

Seated in the inlet orifice 6 is a valve 10 screwed or otherwise secured upon the end j of a rod 11. The rod is threaded for a considerable part of its length, and a screw-j threaded bushing 12 is screwed thereon. A l piston or slide valve 13 is mounted on the l bushing and lock nuts 14] 4 are screwed on E either side to secure the piston in place.

Depending from the piston and preferably integral therewith are four hubs 15. Adjusting screws 16 with slotted heads 17 and lock-nuts 18 are tapped through the bottom of the cylinder having their ends projecting into the holes in the hubs 15. Upon these screws 16 and hubs are mounted helical springs 20 with their lower ends resting upon nuts 1919, two nuts being used for better securing them upon the screws. The u )per nuts are made in the form of disks to a 0rd better seats for the springs to rest upon. The upper ends of the springs press upward against the bottom of the piston 13 to force the piston and valve 10 upwardly against the pressure of the inflow of gas through the orifice 6 and when this pressure of gas is diminished sufliciently the springs effect an entire closing of the valve 10 and completely cut off the supply of gas, The pressure of the springs upon the-piston is regu lated by the adjusting screws 1.6 and when j they have been properly adjusted to give to f the springs the desired pressure to overcome any predetermined gas pressure upon thepiston, the lock nuts 18 are then screwed tight to secure the screws in that position. In the side of the cylinder is an externally threaded hub 21 through which is an outlet orifice 22. This orifice is located in the side of the cylinder at a point to be entirely covered by or a little below the top of the piston 13 when it has been brought to its highest position. To this outlet is screwed a distributing pipe 23. An ordinary coupling is j used to make the joint and a washer 24 may be inserted to secure a tight union. j The distributing pipe is bent downwardly and a cock 24 is secured to the end in a vertical position beneath the cylinder. The turn-key for this cock is in the form of a slotted bar the slot 26 extending longitudinally of the bar at its outer end. Upon the plug of the valve is also secured by means of nut 27 a single toothed ratchet 28.

The piston rod 11 extends through a hole in the bottom of the cylinder. The end of the rod 11 is screw-threaded and is screwed. in a T-shaped coupling 30 mounted on a horizontal bar 31 and secured thereto by setscrew 32. The bar 31 is screw-threaded on its inner end, which is screwed into a sleeve 33 slidably mounted upon a vertical rod 34. This rod is secured at top and bottom by brackets 3535 bolted to the main bracket 36'. This main bracket is preferably a sheet of steel bent at right angles at the top to afford a support 37 upon which the cylinder 1 rests. Screws 38 are provided for securing the cylinder to this bracket. A large hole 39 is formed in the bracket supporting the cylinder to permit the several depending parts to extend therethrough. The slide rod 34 and bar 31 facilitate a surer and steadier motionof the piston rod and insures a more perfect seating of the valve 10. The outer end of the bar 31 is crooked or bent downward and secured thereto is a fork shaped bracket 40 extending downward on either side of the slotted turn-key 35 and provided at its ends with holes in which are journaled the anti-friction roller 41 secured within the slotted way 26 of the turn-key 25. One or more supports 42 may be secured to the cock 24 to retain it in rigid vertical position below the cylinder.

A bell-crank shaped pawl 43 is mounted on a bracket 44 which is bolted to the main bracket 36. This pawl is positioned to permit its arm 45 to co-act with the ratchet 28 to lock the cook 24 in closed position when the gas supply has been cut off from the cylinder 1. This pawl is retained in spring pressed engagement with the ratchet by a spring 46 secured at one end on bracket 44 and having its other end pressed against the vertical end 47 of the pawl. To release the pawl from engagement with the ratchet a cord 48 is provided with its upper end secured to the arm 45 of the pawl and its lower end passed around a pulley 49 secured to bracket 36. The cord is provided with a handle which when pulled downward draws the pawl free from the ratchet 28 leaving the device free to be set in open position which is done by manually forcing the piston rod downward whereupon the pressure of gas will act upon the piston 13 to maintain the device in open position.

The operation of my device is as follows: The bracket 36 is rigidly bolted to some suitable support such, for instance, as the side of a gas meter, and the inlet pipe 8 is coningly covering the supply of gas comprising a cylinder having an inlet and an outlet port, a valve carrying piston mounted for movement in the cylinder the valve and piston being adapted to simultaneously open or close the said inlet and outlet ports respectively and springs secured below and pressing upward against said piston for automatically raising it to close the ports when the gas has dropped below a predetermined pressure.

5. A device for automatically cutting off the supply of gas comprising a cylinder having an inlet and an outlet port, a valve carrying piston mounted for movement in the cylinder the valve and piston being adapted to simultaneously open or close the said inlet and outlet ports respectively, and springs secured below and pressing upward against said piston for automatically rais nected to the gas supply and outlet pipe 23 is likewise connected to the distributing pipe for conveying the gas to the various points of consumption. The piston 13 is adjusted by means of the nuts 14 so that it will just cover (or be a little above) the outlet port 22 when the valve 10 is well in its seat. .he lock nuts 18 are loosened and the adjusting screws 16 are screwed in the desired direction until the springs 20 will exert a pressure up wardly upon the piston 13 sufficient to overcome the desired gas pressure as has been previously determined, and keep the valve 10 well in its seat and the piston 18 correspondthe port 22, in which position the other parts of my device should be so proportioned that the turn-key 25 will have risen to a sufiicient amount to have closed the cook 24 and the ratchet be in proper position to engage the pawl 43 to lock the ing it to close the ports when the gas has entire device in closed position. The parts dropped below a predetermined pressure, should also be proportioned so that when the and adjusting screws supporting said springs for varying the pressure of the springs against the piston' 6. A device for automaticalllycutting oil the supply of gas comprising a cylinder having an inlet and an outlet port, a valve carrying piston mounted on a rod within the cylinder and adapted to simultaneously open or close the ports, a conduit connected to the outlet port of the cylinder, a cock in said conduit and means for connecting the cock with the rod for operating said cock thereby.

7. A device for automatically cutting oil the supply of gas comprising a cylinder having an inlet and an outlet port, a valve carrying piston mounted on a rod within the cylinder and adapted to simultaneously open or close the ports, a conduit connected to the outlet port of the cylinder, a cock in said conduit, the said cock being connected to the rod to be operated thereby and manually releasable means for holding the cocks in closed position.

8. A device for automatically cutting oil the supply of gas comprising a cylinder having an inlet and an outlet port, a valve seat in the inlet port, a valve and a piston mounted on a rod having its lower end extending through the cylinder, the valve adapted to fit in the valve seat of the inlet port to close the port and the piston to close the outlet port when therod is forced upward, springs secured below and pressing upward against the piston for automatically raising it to close the ports when the gas has dropped below a predetermined pressure, adjusting screws supporting the springs for varying the pressure of the springs against the piston, a conduit connected tothe outlet port of the cylinder, a cock in said conduit and connected to the lower end of the piston rod to be operated thereby a single toothed ratchet on. the

pawl 13 is drawn tree from engagement with the ratchet and the valve 10 lowered the pis ton 13 will have lowered to a sufficient amount to open the port 22 and the turn-key 25 forced downward through an arc suiiicient to open the cock 24.

\Vhen the adjusting screws 16 have been properly set the lock nuts 18 are screwed tight. The gas is then turned on to full pressure, the pawl 43 pulled down and the piston rod drawn down to open the device.

Having thus described my invention I claim:

1. A device for automatically cutting ofli the supply of gas comprising a cylinder having an inlet and' an outlet port and a valve carrying piston mounted for movement in the cylinder the valve and piston being adapted to simultaneously open or close the said inlet and outlet ports respec tively.

2. A device for automatically cutting oii the supply of gas comprising a cylinder having an inlet and an outlet port, a valve carrying piston mounted for movement in the cylinder the valve and piston being adapted to simultaneously open or close the said inlet and outlet ports respectively, and means for automatically raising the piston to close the ports when the gas has dropped below a predetermined pressure.

3. A device for automatically cutting off the supply of gas comprising a cylinder having an inlet and an outlet port, a valve carrying piston mounted for movement in the cylinder the valve and piston being adapted to simultaneously open or close the said inlet and outlet ports respectively and means comprising springs for automatically raising the piston to close the ports when the gas has dropped below a predetermined pressure.

1. A device for automatically cutting off 1 plug of the cock, a manually releasable paw secured to a bracket supporting the cylinder and adapted to engage With the ratchet to lock the cock in closed position.

9. A safety attachment for gas meters, comprising a receiver having a supply -con nection With the meter, a dispensing tube connected With the receiver, a valve carrying piston mounted for movement in the receiver and adapted to open and close the supply connection With the meter, a connection between the receiver and the dispensing tube and means operated by the piston for closing the dispensing tube and means for locking the dispensing tube closing means in closed position.

10. A safety attachment for gas meters comprising a receiver having a supply connection With the meter, a dispensing tube connected With the receiver, a valve carrying piston mounted for movement in the receiver and adapted to close the inlet and outlet of the receiver and to open the same, the piston being pressure controlled in one direction and tension controlled in the other di rection, a valve in the dispensing tube, and

means for opening and closing the said valve by the corresponding movements of the piston.

11. A safety attachment for gas meters comprising a receiver having a supply connection With the meter, a dispensing tube connected With the receiver, a valve carrying piston mounted for movement in the receiver and adapted to close the inlet and outlet of the receiver and to open the same, the piston being pressure controlled in one direction and tension controlled in the other direction, a valve in the dispensing tube, and means for opening and closing the said valve by the corresponding movements of the piston, a locking device for the valve in the dispensing tube acting automatically to hold the valve in closed position, and a release for the locking device independent of the valve operating mechanism of the attachment.

JOHN KOUMEAS.

Witnesses:

EUGENE L. PARODI, GEORGE P. OAsTRITsY. 

